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The yukata is the casual, hot-weather cousin of the kimono. As characteristic of Tokyo summer as shaved ice, fireworks and watermelon, a yukata will help keep you cool in the sweltering heat (and we do mean sweltering). Yukata are great for personal wear (for all genders) and gifts, and if you know where to shop, you can pick them up for next to nothing. Yukata basics: What you need to know Yukata are worn in the summer months (June-September), when festivals (matsuri) and fireworks abound. You'll see yukata-clad folks young and old dancing at Bon-odori or Awa-odori events in parks and through the streets -- and it all looks pretty awesome. The yukata is essentially an unlined, very basic kimono. Like kimono, they are worn with a belt (obi), which for women sits tight around the waist with a bow at the back, while for men a narrower obi sits on the hips and tied with a knot (that can be varying degrees of fancy). The prescribed footwear is geta (traditional wooden sandals), worn without socks (remember, it's hot). Some people carry a small handbag for their keys, wallet and phone, while others (this writer included) just shove things down their sleeves. Then and now Yukata originated as bathrobes hundreds of years ago, and gradually evolved into high-fashion items. You can still find yukata that are closer to their roots in traditional Japanese hotels (ryokan) and hot-spring towns. These days, yukata come in an array of beautiful patterns, ranging from flowers to animals, geometric patterns to dragons and even anime characters. The category keeps evolving, too: recent summers have brought lace yukata, plus-size and tall options, and two-piece "separate" yukata that you can put on in minutes -- no obi-tying skills required. Where to buy affordable yukata in Tokyo So, onto the main thread of this article. You can pick up a yukata set (yukata + obi) for anything from around secondhand to upwards of . That's a huge price range, but it all depends on whether you want new or preloved, understated or high fashion -- and yes, a bit of luck too. Prices have crept up in recent years: set aside - for a decent new set, - for better-quality cotton, and and (way) up at department stores and boutiques. But you're here because you want the cheapo low-down, and our philosophy is that a nice yukata doesn't have to be an expensive one. Timing tip: Yukata hit the shops from mid-May, the good stuff sells down from late July, and end-of-season clearance from mid-August is prime bargain-hunting time. Supermarkets and budget clothing chains The first place to try is a big Aeon -- the supermarket giant rolls out yukata at around 190 of its larger stores from early summer each year. It's not the bargain bin it once was (women's sets hover around , with single yukata from about ), but the range is huge, and nearly half the women's lineup is now the easy-to-wear separate type, which fakes the classic silhouette without any obi wrestling. Ito-Yokado and Daiei used to be options too, but the former no longer sells yukata after winding down its clothing floors, and Tokyo's Daiei stores are being converted into food-focused supermarkets. For cheaper new yukata, budget fashion chain Shimamura is the one to beat: recent collections start at around for a separate-type yukata, character collabs abound, and markdowns get aggressive from late July. Chain apparel stores (including thrift shops) Uniqlo, alas, quietly gave up on yukata years ago -- their steteco lounge shorts are as festival-adjacent as the chain gets now. These days the cheap-and-new crown belongs to discount legend Donki, which stocks yukata and jinbei from roughly May to August, including easy two-piece sets from around . On the secondhand side, Chicago is still going strong, with used yukata mostly in the - range; the Jingūmae flagship in Harajuku has the biggest kimono and yukata selection, with another branch on Takeshita Street. Nationwide thrift giant 2nd Street also buys and sells yukata each summer -- handily, you can search its online store to check stock at branches near you. Mode Off has shrunk to a handful of Tokyo stores (Kōenji and Kichijōji are the handiest) and yukata stock is a gamble, so check the Hard Off group's online mall before trekking out. Yukata and kimono specialist stores If you want to go straight to the source, as it were, you can hit up one of the many specialist stores in Tokyo. Tansu-ya had a near-death experience when its parent company went under in 2020, but the brand was rescued and still runs around 16 Tokyo branches -- with a big cluster in Asakusa (including a MEGA Tansu-ya) and even an outpost at Haneda Airport Garden for last-minute buys. Secondhand is the core offer, with used kimono advertised from ; new yukata start at around . Note that these days it's a place to buy rather than rent. Mom-and-pop shop Sakaeya near Harajuku Station still sells secondhand pieces (from around ), but it's strictly appointment-only now: you book ahead with a deposit and they email you the address. The mini tea ceremony that used to be thrown in is a add-on these days. Charming, but no longer an impulse stop. If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, head to Miyoshiya on the basement level of Nakano Broadway (closed the third Wednesday of the month). Most pieces at this family-run recycled-kimono shop go for -. You're going to have to invest some time sifting through less appealing -- and possibly very dusty -- yukata until you find the one you want, but that's the fun of it (for some of us anyway). Shopping for the men in your life (or yourself)? Men's yukata are the hardest gap to fill in stores, so make a beeline for Fujikiya in Higashi-Ueno, about 6 minutes on foot from Ueno Station: men's yukata from , women's from , and jinbei too. Nearby Yukata-ya Wasobe covers women and kids. Shopping streets For a vibey yukata-hunting experience that is filled with food on sticks (think fish-shaped pastries with sweet bean paste filling) and several other bargains, head down to one of Tokyo's popular shopping streets (also called shōtengai). Nakamise Dōri in Asakusa is the classic pick (a good chance to take in Sensōji Temple, too): Suzuya on the main strip sells made-in-Japan yukata sets among the souvenirs, and one street over on Shin-Nakamise there's a Tansu-ya branch for secondhand finds. Yanaka Ginza is a lovely wander, but don't go there expecting yukata -- the street's own shop directory lists no kimono or yukata sellers these days. Same story at Ameya-yokochō between Ueno and Okachimachi: great for street food and sneakers, not so much traditional threads -- though it does put you within walking distance of Fujikiya (see above). Flea markets If your schedule allows it, you can go to one of Tokyo's flea markets for a spot of yukata-hunting. The biggest and most reliable is the Tokyo City Flea Market at Ōi Racetrack in Shinagawa -- up to 600-odd stalls on most (but not all) weekends, mornings until 2:30 pm, so check the schedule before heading over. The long-running Ikebukuro West Exit market is gone (the park is now an events plaza), but the same organizers run a smaller market at Ikebukuro Daini Park on the second Sunday of the month. Yoyogi Park, meanwhile, hosts occasional festival-style markets rather than regular flea markets. As for the haul: you might score a yukata for a single 1,000 yen note if the gods of thrift are smiling, but realistically budget - for a wearable one -- and try haggling in the late afternoon. Online stores If you don't have much time or loathe in-person shopping, you can always order a yukata online. A big plus of shopping online is the range: this is where you'll find trendy lace yukata, two-piece separate sets from the mark, and tall and plus sizes (up to 4L) that can be genuinely hard to track down in physical stores. Just make sure that the size and color is exactly what you want before you click that checkout button. One online retailer to try is Rakuten. Other options There are several other ways to get your paws on a yukata. Department stores usually have a dedicated yukata/kimono section, and some run big seasonal campaigns -- gorgeous stuff, but expect and up. Harajuku souvenir institution Oriental Bazaar keeps a yukata section (note: it's closed Wednesdays and Thursdays). And don't overlook your local recycle (junk) shop. How do I wear a yukata, exactly? Before we wrap up the post, a quick note on, well, wrapping up. Yukata are not the easiest things to get right, especially if it's your first time wearing one. If you rent, the shop dresses you -- problem solved. If you buy, staff at the specialist shops can usually point you in the right direction, and there are numerous how-to videos online of course for practicing at home. Renting a yukata Just looking to try a yukata out? In Asakusa, a basic rental runs about - for the day, dressing included -- which, for a single festival night, competes pretty hard with buying. You can book a yukata plan from VASARA for around , hair accessories and dressing included. For more options, check out our comprehensive guide to kimono rental. Where to buy a jinbei If you aren't so keen on the robe thing, you might prefer to buy yourself what we like to call "old-man summer pajamas", and what the civilized world refers to as jinbei. Also known as hippari, jinbei are gaining popularity among people of all genders and ages, though they were traditionally summer wear for men -- and house wear, at that. A set consists of a short-sleeved jacket and either short or long pants. Jinbei are made of cotton, hemp or something similar and are super cool in the hot months (much cooler than yukata, actually). You can wear them at home and to festivals. Jinbei are the true budget lane of Japanese summer wear: Donki carries them for roughly -, Aeon and Shimamura sit in the same range, 3COINS does kids' jinbei for about (they sell out fast), and workwear chain Workman even makes a technical jinbei with UV-blocking, quick-dry powers for . Because of course Japan has a performance jinbei. While we do our best to ensure it's correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in 2017, and last updated in July 2026.

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Where to Buy a Yukata in Tokyo

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Where to Buy a Yukata in Tokyo

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Navigate Japan with a Saily eSIM from $US3.99

Become a Samurai in Tokyo

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